Researchers create whispering gallery mode resonator to detect nanoscale objects, improving performance with smaller target objects, and opening doors for biomedical devices, electronics, and biohazard detection.
A team of researchers has developed a simplified genetic toolkit to test hypotheses about the neural underpinnings of behavior in animals. The toolbox allows scientists to easily tailor the approach for any purpose and any species, overcoming limitations in traditional model organisms like fruit flies and mice.
A new study suggests that infants are able to recognize patterns of behavior and make judgments about people's preferences as early as 8 months old. The research found that babies look for consistent patterns of behavior and adjust their expectations when they encounter inconsistent choices.
Children start recognizing and following important rules governing English letter patterns, even before learning how letters represent sounds, around 3-5 years old. As they get older, their invented spellings improve, becoming more word-like in appearance.
Biomedical engineers found that different beta subunits attach to the main protein in a unique way, affecting the channel's control over the heartbeat. This discovery could lead to precision medicine and therapies tailored to individual needs.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used a new experimental setup to measure the atomic properties of liquid materials, resolving some long-standing debates about the glass transition. The team found that fragility is related to atomic interactions and structural changes during the transition.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis found that access to quality health care for persons with disabilities has decreased significantly between 2004 and 2014 in Afghanistan.
A 20-year study found that surgery for early-stage prostate cancer did not prolong life and often caused serious complications. Most men with early prostate cancer are more likely to survive with limited or no treatment.
Researchers found that self-suppression is stronger in tropical forests and changes systematically with latitude, contributing to the biodiversity gradient. The Janzen-Connell hypothesis proposes that host-specific natural enemies suppress locally common species, giving rare species space to flourish.
Scientists discovered that changes in mechanical behavior and gene signaling play a crucial role in the development of heart defects, with LOX-deficient mice exhibiting protection against aneurysms. The research provides new insights into the chemo-mechanics of heart defects and its potential applications for disease prevention.
Researchers develop ultrafast scanning fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to observe membraneless organelles. The technique reveals low-density, permeable structures, contrary to expected dense packing.
A new study published in Current Biology found that bacterial cells are limited by their ability to produce fat, which affects their growth and size. The research, conducted at Washington University in St. Louis, used a novel approach to understand the role of biosynthesis in cell-size regulation.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have caught primary metabolism in the act of evolving, revealing a novel form of an enzyme that produces tyrosine. This breakthrough could lead to increased production of essential compounds, such as vitamin E and opioids.
Scientists discover that birds form family groups before helping at the nest, resolving long-standing puzzle of cooperative breeding's evolution. The two-step framework suggests that stable environments favor family living, while environmental variability promotes helping at the nest.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that quasimeasurements, a new type of measurement interaction, cause the quantum Zeno effect and anti-Zeno effect. The disturbance from these measurements shifts the energy levels of the atom, leading to faster or slower decay rates.
A recent study published in Pediatrics reveals that eggs can be an effective way to promote healthy growth and development in young children. The study found that eggs increased standardized length-for-age score and weight-for-age score, while also reducing prevalence of stunting by 47 percent.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to synthesize ß-lactone peptides, a new class of antibiotics, by copying bacterial enzymes. These peptides inhibit serine hydrolases and may be useful in treating cancer, obesity, and infectious diseases.
A team of scientists found that massive volcanic eruptions may have caused the end-Ordovician extinction, which wiped out 85% of marine animal species. The eruptions released sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, interacting in complex ways to affect the climate.
Researchers developed a non-invasive nanoparticle delivery method that can target the brain via the nasal cavity, reaching it within minutes. The approach uses aerosol science and engineering principles to generate monodisperse nanoparticles that pass through the brain-blood barrier.
Researchers studied the brain-suspension system using magnetic resonance elastography, finding that it significantly delayed and weakened force transfer from skull to brain. This suggests up to 90% protection against TBI injury.
A recent study has discovered the ancestry of Asian rice and its weedy cousins, revealing that rice has a natural tendency towards becoming weeds. The research found that both strains evolved from different crop varieties, with relatively few changes needed to turn the crop plant into a weed.
Women pursuing IVF are more likely to give birth if they have health insurance that covers the procedure, according to research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. Without coverage, financial constraints often prohibit women from seeking additional treatments after an initial failure.
Researchers found that human settlement led to the dominant presence of house mice in the Middle East around 15,000 years ago. The populations of house mice rose and fell based on human mobility patterns, out-competing wild mice in some areas.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that astroglia, or astrocytes, help set the pace of the suprachiasmatic nuclei to schedule a mouse's day. Altering astrocyte clocks slowed mice's sense of time, highlighting their influence on daily behavior and physiological processes.
A four-year study of two congeneric lupines found that seed predation can shape plant communities, but the impact depends on habitat conditions. The removal of European beachgrass altered the ecosystem, leading to a rebound in the rare lupine population and suggesting that seed loss is not always detrimental.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis shows that the Fed's actions were effective in encouraging banks to lend, benefiting the economy. The study found that a total of 62% of bigger US banks used the Discount Window or Term Auction Facility during the crisis, leading to increased lending of almost all types.
Researchers used satellite analysis and GIS to show that 75% of ancient Silk Road sites align with optimal pasture-driven pathways for nomadic herders, revealing new insights into the network's geography
The discovery of two partial archaic human skulls from the Lingjing site in central China reveals a complex mix of biological trends among early modern humans. The fossils, dated to around 100,000 years ago, show a blend of features with late archaic and early modern humans, as well as Neandertals.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that even happy couples can be clueless about spotting emotional suppression and reappraisal tactics in their partners. Women tend to overestimate their partner's ability to see the bright side of an issue, while men are more likely to use suppression with their partners.
Researchers have developed a new method to analyze the carbon content of ancient coccolithophore shells, providing insights into past CO2 levels and climate sensitivity. The study uses mathematical modeling and laboratory experiments to understand the biology of ancient creatures and their impact on the environment.
Researchers found that co-workers usually lack knowledge about who is competitively towards them, due to people masking their competitiveness. The study suggests a climate of friendly competition and clear boundaries can promote mutual healthy competition.
A study of 125,000 patients found that more than half with chronic kidney damage took PPIs without acute problems, highlighting the need for vigilance in monitoring kidney function. Doctors advise caution and only prescribe when necessary due to significant risks of kidney deterioration.
Researchers found that a green tea compound may prevent light chain amyloidosis, a condition where parts of the body's own antibodies become misshapen and accumulate in organs, by transforming the protein into a non-toxic form. The study suggests potential lifesaving benefits for patients with multiple myeloma and amyloidosis.
Scientists discovered a seismic belt in the downgoing slab of the Pacific Plate, triggered by the sudden release of water due to temperature changes. The findings suggest that earthquakes occur when the mantle releases its water, which is correlated with the subduction rate and slab temperature.
Researchers found that the largest-brained species of electric fish have the highest demand for oxygen, while the smallest-brained species have the lowest. This suggests that large brains can only evolve if constraints on energy intake are lifted or alternative solutions are found to accommodate the increased energy demands.
Physicist Tyrone Daulton reviews Younger Dryas sediments for nanodiamonds and finds none, contradicting the impact hypothesis. He attributes this to misidentification of similar carbon structures, such as graphene and graphane.
Researchers found three areas of hot rock within the mantle beneath three separate volcanic provinces, indicating that Madagascar's volcanoes are not related to nearby tectonic activity. The study suggests that the island's unique geology, with a delaminated lithosphere and a mantle plume, led to the formation of these hot regions.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis isolated an enzyme GH3.5 that regulates the levels of two plant hormones, auxin and salicylic acid, simultaneously. The study reveals how this single enzyme controls distinct classes of hormones, providing new insights into the molecular pathways for growth and defense.
Research suggests that excess weight increases the risk of progression from MGUS to multiple myeloma. Maintaining a healthy weight may be a way to prevent this progression, particularly in African-American men and those with elevated M protein levels.
Archaeologists have discovered the oldest known physical evidence for chickens in Africa, dating back over 2,700 years. The discovery sheds new light on how domesticated chickens were introduced to Africa via trade routes along the Red Sea and East African coast.
Carl M. Bender was awarded the 2017 Dannie Heineman Prize for Mathematical Physics for his development of PT symmetry theory in quantum systems. This theory has generated profound new mathematics and impacted broad areas of experimental physics, inspiring generations of mathematical physicists.
Scientists have discovered that plant light sensors also respond to temperature, allowing plants to detect changes in growth conditions. Mutant plants revealed a previously unknown conversion process where thermal reversion occurs without light, affecting the plant's response to temperature and light intensity.
Researchers observed wild chimpanzee mothers teaching their offspring to use tools, including termite-fishing probes. By sharing tools and customizing the learning process for local conditions, these mothers help their young develop essential skill sets.
Researchers have discovered a giant scar beneath the Midwest using a network of seismometers. The Midcontinent Rift, which spans across the region, was formed when the core of North America nearly ripped apart millions of years ago.
A recent study using precise potassium isotopic data confirms the Moon was formed from a violent impact that vaporized Earth's mantle and mixed it with the impactor. This challenges the giant impact hypothesis, which had trouble matching geochemical signatures between Earth and Moon.
A research team from Washington University has been awarded a $1.25 million grant to study the movement and mechanics of flagella in a green alga called Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which is nearly identical to human cilia. The goal is to understand how these tiny organelles propel movements and potentially develop new discoveries in mec...
A team from Washington University in St. Louis has developed a new method to produce biofuels in E. coli bacteria, boosting BCFA manufacture to 80 percent of all fuel products, and opening up potential applications for pharmaceuticals and other useful products.
Cells have two disposal systems: proteasomes, which handle smaller proteins, and autophagy, a process that removes larger complexes. Researchers discovered a smart bin liner-like system in autophagy, involving Cue5 receptors and Hsp42 chaperones.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created a new approach to purify water using graphene oxide and bacteria-produced cellulose. The bi-layered biofoam is light, strong, and flexible, allowing for efficient evaporation of contaminated water.
A large study of 15,000 adults found that falling up to six months before surgery is common and linked to lower quality of life and increased risk of injury. The frequency of falls among middle-aged patients was similar to those aged 65+, suggesting that a history of falls may be a powerful tool in assessing overall health.